Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23213, Joseph Eldredge, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
learn.
Eldredge, Joseph
S. 23213
CONTENTS

New York, 24 800
Joseph Eldredge
of Cortland in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Latham of the Reg t commanded by Col Ledyard in the Conn. Nat l line for 14 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 2 / 3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of March 1832, and sent to Wm H. Shankland Cortland Vill. N.Y.
  Arrears to the 4th of March '34  $140.00    Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. '34  23.33         $163.33  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by El. Brown , Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4 Page 55
Letter to P er 11. Nov 1839.
Let. to A. Smith
March 17, 1841.

State of New York
County of Cortland p 3
On this 30th day of October, 1832, personally appeared before William Mallory Esq. first judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Cortland County Joseph Eldredge a resident of the town of Cortland N.Y. in said County & State of New York, aged Sixty nine years the 28th of November next, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated, viz He entered the service under Captain William Latham at the town of Groton, County of New London & State of Connecticut, about the 15th day of September 1780. That he was stationed in Fort Griswold situated about one mile east of New London in said State, to keep Garrison, & continued there for most of the time till the month of January 1783. at which time & place he left the service —
That during the above mentioned period, he was sometimes absent from said Fort on short Military excursions, & was sometimes at his fathers residence in Groton aforesaid, — He was absent from said Fort at the time it was attacked & taken by the English, but returned to it, the same day & helped bury the dead — The name of his Lieutenant was Nathan Crary & his Ensign Daniel Burrows, according to the best of his recollection — He was well acquainted with Col. William Ledyard, who commanded said Fort & was killed there by the English, & that he served under him till his death — That no continental soldiers were stationed at the said Fort & he therefore knew none of them, except his brother Charles Eldredge who was a commissary in the regular army, and James Eldredge another brother, who was a captain in the regular army & served through the war. He says that he was drafted, & served as a private, and
1781 6 Sept For G. Eldredge

never held a commission till after the war, when he received the commission of Captain in the Militia, which he now has in his possession, - He has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person by whom he can prove his services, as a soldier of the revolution -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state -
And to the questions propounded to him by the said judge, as prescribed by the war department, he makes the following answers. 1 st That he was born at the town of Groton County of New London & State of Connecticut on the 23 rd day of November 1763. And that he has the record of his age in his possession at Cortlandville where he now resides - 2 nd That he was living at the town of Groton aforesaid when called into service and that he has lived at the same place, until he removed to his present residence, except about one year which he spent in the town of Poughkeepsie in the state of Connecticut - & that he now lives in the town of Cortlandville County of Cortland & State of New York - 4 th He was drafted into the service - 5 th He has stated in the previous part of his declaration, the officers whom he knew & the general circumstances of his service, which declaration he says is true - 6 th He received a parol discharge from the service only - 7 th He is known in his present neighbourhood to Samuel Hotchkiss Esq. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Cortland County, and to Isaac Lewis & William H. Shunkland who can testify as to his character for veracity, & their belief as to his services as a soldier of the revolution.
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid before me William Mallery first Judge of Cortland County Courts
Joseph Eldredge

We Isaac Lewis & William H Shankland in ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Eldredge who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be fourty  fifty nine years of age; That he is reputed & believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion, & that his character for truth & veracity is good among his neigh- bours.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid } Isaac Lewis before me } William H. Shankland I William Mallery first Judge of Cortland County Courts
And I William Mallery first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Cortland do declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states; and I further certify that Isaac Lewis & William H Shankland — who have signed the pre- ceding certificate are residents of the town of Cortland Vill, & that they are persons of credit, & their statements are entitled to credit, and that the above mentioned applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court to make his application
William Mallery first Judge of Cortland County Courts
I Samuel Hotchkiss Jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cortland do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said William Mallery first Judge etc. in the matter of the application of Joseph Eldredge for a pension, And I do further

certify that William Mallory who has signed the preceding certificate is first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Cottland County -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this Eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three Sam. Hotchkiss R. Clerk
Joseph Eldredge
Pension application

e V o 25075 Joseph Eldredge Cortland County New York
e.l.
Admitted Private 14 months
M m H. Schankland Cortlandville Cortland County N.York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
4 th June
1839.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Joseph Eldredge  Cortland County New York.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      Entered Sept 1780 quit service July 1783   about 2 4 - private Col Latham  69 years County of New London Connecticut   Traditional evidence certified Credible - A clergyman named the claimant not sufficiently acquainted with applicant. papers correctly attached   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
It can not be readily admitted that 28 months service in Fort Griswold from '80 to '83. is insusceptible of proof and claimants are required by the Regulations to produce the best evidence in their power.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his.

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Secretary of the War Department, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, in too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Reproduction
23213 INVALID.
File No. 23, 213
Joseph Eldredge Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 123
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York } Costland County ss } Joseph Eldridge being duly sworn doth depose
and say, that he this deponent is the same individual who made the declaration, in order to obtain a Pension, which is herein to animised, and the said deponent doth further say, that the reason why he did not obtain the affidavit of a Clergyman, as to deponents character for truth, and his reputation as a Soldier of the Revolution is, that no Clergyman resides in his neighbourhood who is acquainted with this deponent, and therefore so as to make such affidavit, and the reason why he did not set forth this matter in his declaration, is that he did not know that it was necessary to render any excuse for the non-production of such affidavit - and further this deponent saith not -
Joseph Bladé
I hereby certify that Joseph Eldredge to me well known, came before me this 27 th day of April 1833, and signed the above affidavit and sworn to the same, I do further certify that he is a credible person & entitled to credit — H. Shankland
William H Skankland a Justice of the Peace of Cortland County
I, Samuel Hotchkiss Jr. Clerk of the Court of Cortland & of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County do hereby certify that William H Shankland is a Justice of the Peace of Cortland County and that the signature to the above certificate is his genuine signature.

Witness my hand and seal of office this Twenty Seventh day of April AD 1833
Sam l Hotchkiss L. O. R.
Joseph Eldridge Pension application.
25035
Please direct in answer to the enclosed application to William S. Skunkland Cortland Village N.Y.

J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Portland Village, Portland County Jan'y 8 th 1834.
Hon. Mr. J. S. Edwards.
Sir
The enclosed Pension papers are returned to you for a re-hearing - After the most diligent search which the limited means of the applicant will allow he has been entirely unable to obtain further proof of services; he therefore cannot change that part of his declaration & oath - The applicant is unable to go out on account of infirmity and must die unrewarded by the bounty of his country, unless the proof already furnished be deemed sufficient -
It is a historical fact that nearly all, who garrisoned Fort Griswold were massacred by the British Army, when the Fort fell into their hands, so that proof from his companions in arms is not to be expected - The applicant sub- mits his case to your favorable consideration, hoping that in finally deciding upon it, you will be governed by the same spirit , which actuated the Congress which made the law, under which the application is made - If you should not deem him entitled to a full pension, any less portion will be acceptable & received in full satisfaction of his claim - Please inform me of your final decision -
Most Respectfully yours.
Wm H. Shankland Portland Village, State N. Y.

Mar 16. 1841
My Mother Inverness Eldridge
FREE
J. Edwards Com. Purvis Washington city

Dfr
Mansfield 9 March 1841
Mrs Desire Eldridge was married to Joseph Eldridge 8 Oct. 1789. of which I hold abundant proof - Mr. Eldridge was a Pensioner under act of 1832 at $42.00 a year and died at Niles Michigan 16 Nov 1839. - His widow entitled to any other benefit of the law of July 7. 1838 - Mrs Eldridge has under petitioned for a reapplication in Court. but on looking at the law I do not understand that it provides for any but widows at its passage.
If the Pension Office take a different view it will favor Mrs Eldridge to inform her through me.
If she has a Pension will it extend beyond 4 th March 1841?
Yours
A. Smith
Ames L. Edwards Comm Pension